*PAARDEN EILAND DESALINATION PLANT: A R5 BILLION MISTAKE THAT WON’T WORK* *GOOD* Statement by *Lulama Benge* , *GOOD* City of Cape Town Councillor 26 February 2025 The GOOD Party has made submissions to the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate as part of the public comment period on the proposed Paarden Eiland desalination plant. Cape Town’s water crisis demands smart, sustainable solutions, not a R5 billion desalination plant that is expensive, energy-intensive, and environmentally harmful. While desalination is presented as a solution, GOOD believes its high costs and limited long-term benefits make it a poor choice. The feasibility studies appear to be a mere formality towards the City approving a deeply flawed project, despite concerns over corruption linked to past desalination contracts. In 2018, the former DA provincial legislature caucus leader and chairperson of the steering committee on environmental affairs and development planning, Rodney Lentit accused the Democratic Alliance of alleged corruption. Lentit claimed the DA stood to make R600-million in kickbacks from desalination contracts if awarded to an Israeli company that was funding the DA’s 2019 election campaign. In our submissions we argue that desalination is among the costliest water production methods, with high operational expenses, significant energy demands, and harmful effects on marine ecosystems. Brine disposal and chemical pollution pose serious risks to coastal environments. Proven, cost-effective alternatives exist. Groundwater extraction is four times cheaper and quicker to implement. Large-scale water recycling, stormwater harvesting, and infrastructure upgrades can enhance water security without excessive costs or environmental damage. Investing in these solutions will protect both residents and the economy. Residents will bear the financial burden through increased water tariffs, while the plant’s output will soon be insufficient for the city’s growing needs. In our submission we urge decision-makers to pause this misguided plan and: 1. Prioritize more cost-effective and sustainable water augmentation strategies, such as water reuse, groundwater extraction, and invasive plant species removal. 2. Conduct an independent environmental impact assessment that specifically addresses the risks of seawater contamination and brine disposal. 3. Ensure full transparency and community involvement in decision-making, including public hearings and open access to feasibility studies. The City of Cape Town needs long-term water security without imposing an unfair financial burden on the residents. GOOD calls on all interested parties to make their submissions before the 3 March deadline.